6. Helpful Facts about Jordan
We would like to give some important information regarding Jordan. If there are any further questions, please, do not hesitate to call us.
6.1. Best Time To Travel
Climate: The climate in
Jordan is very balanced and moderate which enables you to travel to Jordan
all year long in comfort. The best time for a round-trip vacation is in the
Spring. During this season the country is lush green and the desert blossoms
are beautiful. Autumn is also a recommended time to travel to Jordan.
In high season, especially Easter and Christmas a lot of the hotels charge
supplements.
During the winter you will find that it sometimes snows at higher grounds,
however in the summer you will find very moderate climate (here the temperature
does not exceed 35° Celsius).You will find summers in the south and in
the Jordan Valley of Aqaba hot, but a nice breeze from the ocean makes the
climate tolerable.
Safety: Jordan is one of the safest tourism countries. Robberies are rare;
violent crime more or less does not exist
6.2. Tipping (Bakshish)
"Bakshish" seems
to be one of the most important words in Arabic language. But you should know
the average income per month is only about 200 JD. Most people who work in
tourism depend on tips.
Restaurants and hotels mostly include a service charge in their bill, however
additional tips are still expected. If a service charge is not included, a
ten percent tip is recommended. Taxi drivers who drive without meters do not
expect tips if the price of the fare is agreed upon before entering the taxi.
If the meter is working an additional tip of about ten percent should be added
to the fare.
For groups travelling to Jordan we suggest the following regulations: Tips
for the guide per day by each tourist usually are 1.5 JD, for the bus driver
0,750 JD. For example a group of 20 persons will tip the guide at the end
of a one-week-trip through Jordan with altogether (8 days x 20 persons x 1
JD) and 240 JD would be given as a tip which the whole group presents in only
one envelope.
The employees of the hotels also expect some tips: Per day and person groups
should collect 1-2 JD which you divide between restaurant, porters and reception.
Once again the tips are presented in one envelope by the whole group. Porters
for each handling expect to be tipped per person with 0.500 JD.
If you want to ride a horse in Petra your horse guide expects 2 JD - however
do not pay before you will reach Wadi Musa. Don´t enter into discussions
about the amount of the tip, they never will be satisfied with the "bakshish"
Assistance at the airport upon arrival and departure usually is tipped with
about 2 JD from individual travellers, groups pay 4-8 JD altogether, depending
on the size of the group.
6.3. Holidays, Ramadan and Business Hours
a) Religious Holidays
The Moslem calendar (Hegira) is a lunar one; the first year corresponds to
the year that prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina (622 A.D.). The
Moslem year is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar and therefore its
holidays vary from year to year. It is difficult to know precisely on which
day in the Gregorian calendar a Moslem feast will fall. Eid el Fitr, a three-day
feast, celebrates the end of Ramadan. Eid el Adha celebrates the end of the
pilgrimage to Mecca. Muharram 1st is the Moslem New year, the first day of
the Islamic calendar is the birthday of the prophet. Rajab 27th is the Feast
of Al-Miaraj, commemorating the prophet Mohammed's nocturnal visit to heaven.
b) Other Holidays
Friday and since 2000 also Saturday are the official weekly days off in Jordan.
Most shops are closed on Fridays although many Christian shopkeepers close
on Sunday instead.
National holidays include:
New Year: January, 1st
King Abdullah's Birthday: January, 30th
Labor Day: May, 1st
Independence Day: May, 25th
King Abdullah´s Ascension to the Throne: June, 9th
Army Day: June, 10th
Al Mawlid Al Nabawi: June, 14th
King Hussein's Birthday: November, 14th
Al Isra´wal Mi´ray: October, 24th
Christmas: December, 25th
Islamic holidays are observed, but their actual dates vary by approximately two weeks every year due to the Islamic lunar calendar that determines the precise times of religious holidays.
c) Business Hours
Friday and Saturday are the weekly holidays in which banks, government offices,
and most businesses are closed.
Banks open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and some reopen in the afternoon from
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Business offices are open from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:30 PM to 6:30
PM.
Government offices are open from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Shopping hours are flexible. Some shops are open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and
3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Others may be open long hours, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Earlier closings are in effect during the month of Ramadan.
d) Ramadan
A stranger visiting Jordan during the Holy Month of Ramadan might be puzzled
about the closure of restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food stands. It may
be surprising to find out that no one is allowed to eat, drink or smoke in
public.
During Ramadan discos and night clubs are closed and most of the hotels do
not serve alcoholic drinks. Only 4 star and 5 star hotels are serving alcohol.
During Ramadan business life is a little mixed up and business and government
offices often reduce the number of hours they are open during Holy Month of
Ramadan.
During the day restaurants are empty but food is served. This is considered
the fasting month of Ramadan.
The fasting month in 2001 will start approximately on November, 16th. Beginning
and ending of the Ramadan depend on the moon.
6.4. Local Customs - How to Dress?
The people of Jordan are
courteous and hospitable. They are also law-abiding; for instance, holiday
visitors are told they may safely camp anywhere. Visitors to Muslim Holy places
are expected to show proper respect, and in the fasting month of Ramadan it
is forbidden to smoke in public places.
Jordan is a very open minded country. In the hotels and beaches mini skirts
and shorts can be seen everywhere. We would advise more modest attire in the
centre of the city and in the countryside.
Be prepared for all seasons, particularly in winter. Light clothing is necessary
for the summer, preferably of natural fibres. Comfortable shoes are very useful.
6.5. Electricity and Water Supply, Local Time, Weight and Measures
The electric current is 220 volts with 50 cycles. Adapters, if necessary, are available in most of the hotels.
Water is scarce and the tourist is requested to help to save water. Tap water does not taste very good but will not cause any health problems.
Time:
+ 2 hours GMT, UK
+ 7 hours Eastern Standard, USA
Weights and measures are
metric.
Contents of the Guide Book
| 1. | Welcome to Jordan |
| 2.. | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| 2.1. | Geography, Climate and Borders |
| 2.2. | Entry and Departure Procedures |
| 2.3 | Population |
| 2.4. | Currency |
| 2.5. | History |
| 2.6. |
Government |
| 2.7. | Economy |
| 3. | Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you |
| 3.2 | Amman, the Dynamic Capital City |
| 3.2. | The
Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak) |
| 3.3. | Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City |
| 3.4. | The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal) |
| 3.5.. |
Following
the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; |
| 3.6. | Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort |
| 3.7. | The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in |
| 3.8. | Biblical Sites in Jordan |
| 3.8.1. | The
Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla |
| 3.9. | Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari |
| 4. | The Tourist Facilities in Jordan |
| 4.1. | Transportation;
Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan |
| 4.2. | Communication |
| 4.3. | Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding |
| 4.4. | Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments |
| 4.5. | Restaurants |
| 4.6. | Shopping and Souvenirs |
| 4.7. | Tourist Guides |
| 4.8. | Accommodation; |
| 5. | Incentive Travel |
| 5.1. | Incentive Special Events |
| 6. | Helpful Facts about Jordan |
| 6.1. | Best Time to Travel and Safty |
| 6.2. | Tipping (Bakshish) |
| 6.3. | Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours |
| 6.4. | Local Customs - How to Dress? |
| 6.5. | Electric Current, Water Supply |